Month: February 2023

On 7 February 2023, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Equatorial Guinea reported the deaths of a number of individuals with suspected hemorrhagic fever.

On 12 February 2023, one sample was confirmed positive for Marburg virus by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), at the Institute Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal.

Investigations are ongoing to find additional cases. WHO is supporting the response by strengthening contact tracing, case management, infection prevention and control, laboratory, risk communication and community engagement.

WHO assesses the risk posed by the outbreak as high at the national level, moderate at the regional level and low at the global level.

Description of the situation

This is the first Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak reported in Equatorial Guinea.

On 7 February 2023, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Equatorial Guinea reported at least eight deaths that occurred between 7 January and 7 February 2023, in two villages located in the district of Nsock Nsomo, eastern province of Kie-Ntem, Río Muni Region. According to the ongoing epidemiological investigation, the cases presented with fever, followed by weakness, vomiting, and blood-stained diarrhoea; two cases also presented with skin lesions and otorrhagia (bleeding from the ear).

On 9 February 2023, eight blood samples were collected from contacts and sent to the Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF) in Gabon, where they tested negative for both Ebola and Marburg viruses by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

An additional eight blood samples were collected from other contacts and sent to the Institute Pasteur in Dakar, Senegal, on 12 February 2023. One of these samples was taken from a suspected case that was confirmed positive for Marburg virus by RT-PCR. This case presented with fever, non-bloody vomiting, bloody diarrhoea, and convulsions and died on 10 February 2023 at Ebebiyin District Hospital. The case also had epidemiological links to four deceased cases from one of the villages in Nsoc-Nsomo district.

As of 21 February 2023, the cumulative number of cases is nine, including one confirmed case, four probable cases and four suspected cases. All the cases have died, one in a health facility and the other eight in the community. There are no cases among healthcare workers. Thirty-four contacts are currently under follow-up.

Epidemiology of Marburg virus disease

Marburg virus is the causative agent of Marburg virus disease (MVD), which has a case-fatality ratio of up to 88%. Marburg virus disease was initially detected in 1967 after simultaneous outbreaks in Marburg and Frankfurt in Germany, and in Belgrade, Serbia.

Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bats are considered natural hosts for Marburg virus, from which the virus is then transmitted to people.

Marburg spreads through human-to-human transmission via direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and with surfaces and materials (e.g. bedding, clothing) contaminated with these fluids. Healthcare workers have previously been infected while treating patients with suspected or confirmed MVD. Burial ceremonies that involve direct contact with the body of the deceased can also contribute to the transmission of Marburg.

The incubation period varies from two to 21 days. Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly, with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. Severe watery diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping, nausea and vomiting can begin on the third day. Severe haemorrhagic manifestations appear between five and seven days from symptoms onset, and fatal cases usually have some form of bleeding, often from multiple areas. In fatal cases, death occurs most often between eight and nine days after symptom onset, usually preceded by severe blood loss and shock.

In the early course of the disease, the clinical diagnosis of MVD is difficult to distinguish from many other tropical febrile illnesses due to the similarities in the clinical symptoms. Other viral haemorrhagic fevers need to be excluded, including Ebola virus disease, as well as malaria, typhoid fever, leptospirosis, rickettsial infections, and plague. Laboratory confirmation can be made by different tests, such as antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), antigen-capture detection tests, serum neutralization test, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, electron microscopy, and virus isolation by cell culture.

Although no vaccines or antiviral treatments are approved to treat the virus, supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms improve survival. A range of potential treatments are being evaluated, including blood products, immune therapies, and drug therapies.

This is the first time that Equatorial Guinea has reported an outbreak of MVD. The most recently reported outbreak of MVD was in Ghana in 2022 (three confirmed cases). Other MVD outbreaks have been previously reported in Guinea (2021), Uganda (2017, 2014, 2012, 2007), Angola (2004-2005), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (1998 and 2000), Kenya (1990, 1987, 1980) and South Africa (1975).

Public health response

In-depth epidemiological investigations are underway to determine the source of the outbreak.

National teams have been deployed to the affected districts for active case finding, contact tracing, isolating and providing medical care to cases.

WHO has deployed experts in epidemiology, case management, infection prevention, laboratory and risk communication to support national response efforts and ensure community engagement.

WHO is also facilitating the shipment of tents, materials for sample collection and analysis, and a viral haemorrhagic fever kit including personal protective equipment for 500 health workers.

WHO is supporting the transportation of samples to laboratories in Senegal and Gabon as plans are underway to set up laboratory facilities in-country.

WHO risk assessment

Equatorial Guinea is facing an outbreak of MVD for the first time and the country’s capacity to manage the outbreak is insufficient.

Based on available information, all nine deceased cases were in contact with a relative with the same symptoms or participated in a burial of a person with symptoms compatible with MVD. At this stage it cannot be ruled out that all MVD cases have been identified, therefore there could be transmission chains that have not been tracked. To date, most of the contacts of the nine deceased cases have not been identified.

It should also be noted that with the exception of one case who died in a health facility, the other eight died in the community and their burial conditions are unknown.

Cross-border population movements are frequent, and the borders are very porous, between Ebebiyin and Nsock Nsomo districts (Equatorial Guinea), Cameroon and Gabon. This constitutes a risk of cross-border spread.

Considering the above described scenario, the risk is considered high at the national level, moderate at the regional level and low at the global level.

WHO advice

Marburg virus disease outbreak control relies on using a range of interventions, namely case management, surveillance including contact tracing, a good laboratory service, infection prevention and control including safe and dignified burials, and social mobilization. Community engagement is key to successfully controlling MVD outbreaks. Raising awareness of risk factors for Marburg infection and protective measures that individuals can take is an effective way to reduce human transmission.

Communities affected by Marburg should make efforts to ensure that the population is well informed, both about the nature of the disease itself and about necessary outbreak containment measures.

Outbreak containment measures include prompt, safe and dignified burial of the deceased cases, identifying people who may have been in contact with someone infected with Marburg and monitoring their health for 21 days, isolating and providing care to confirmed patients and maintaining good hygiene and a clean environment.

Healthcare workers caring for patients with or suspected of MVD should apply additional infection control measures in addition to standard precautions to avoid contact with patients’ blood and body fluids and with surfaces and objects contaminated.

WHO recommends that male survivors of MVD practice safer sex and hygiene for 12 months from onset of symptoms or until their semen twice tests negative for Marburg virus. Contact with body fluids should be avoided and washing with soap and water is recommended. WHO does not recommend isolation of male or female convalescent patients whose blood has tested negative for Marburg virus.

WHO advises against any restrictions on travel and/or trade to Equatorial Guinea based on available information for the current outbreak.

Source: World Health Organization

Plus les années passent, le coût de la vie devient un poids très lourd pour beaucoup de familles. La cherté de la vie dans les pays de la région des Grands Lacs dresse des obstacles que rencontrent les citoyens et surtout les jeunes.

« La cherté de la vie affecte ma vie en tant que jeune car il est difficile de préparer un avenir alors que même le présent n’est pas assuré ou rassurant. Je ne peux pas faire l’épargne car le peu que je gagne est pour une consommation directe. J’ai toujours peur de m’engager pour le mariage. » Des mots pleins de franchise d’un des jeunes vivant dans cette région.

Le coût de la vie ne cesse de s’élever. Obligés d’y faire face, les jeunes doivent se débrouiller, s’adapter tout en opérant des choix entre le nécessaire et ce qui ne l’est pas mais qui devrait l’être. Il faut faire des priorités.

Le salaire reste le même et donc le pouvoir d’achat diminue car le peu de moyens obtenus ne peut pas être d’une grande utilité, ce qui engendre une insatisfaction qui conduit certains jeunes dans des activités totalement défavorables au dévéloppement de leurs pays.

Des conséquences incalculables

Même si cette cherté de la vie affecte la population de la région des Grands Lacs en général, ce sont les jeunes qui sont les plus touchés par cette situation. « Cela nous affecte d’une façon ou d’une autre selon les ambitions de chacun ».

Dans l’émission « Génération Grands Lacs », pour les jeunes du Rwanda, du Burundi et de la RDC, lancée par Search for Common Ground, produit chaque semaine, avec le soutien de la Coopération suisse et USAID, quelques jeunes du Congo et du Burundi ainsi que M. Straton Habyarimana, analyste et chercheur en économie vivant au Rwanda, nous exposent leurs expériences vécues.

Selon certains jeunes approchés, il est difficile de se prendre en charge, de joindre les deux bouts suite à la hausse des prix des denrées de première nécessité sur le marché. « Cette situation rend impossible le fait de penser à fonder un foyer de peur de ne pas subvenir aux besoins de la famille fondée ».

Sans aucun espoir dans l’avenir, l’horizon étant bouché, la jeunesse s’adonne à des activités peu recommandables hypothéquant leur développement, il y en a qui se réfugient dans la drogue au moment où d’autres s’adonnent à la prostitution, etc….

Des initiatives pour y faire face

Pour M. Straton Habyarimana, la cherté de la vie est une variation relative dépendant de plusieurs facteurs à savoir la dévalorisation de la monnaie locale et la hausse des prix sur le marché faisant exemple au taux d’inflation qui s’est augmenté d’à peu près de 16% et de 19,57% au Burundi au mois d’août.

Selon lui, il y a une autre méthode qui s’applique pour examiner la cherté de la vie dont la PPP (Parité de la monnaie locale par rapport au dollar) qui au Rwanda aurait augmenté de 4,5% annuellement et de 6,89% entre les années 2002 et 2021. « Cela rend plus faible la capacité d’importer les biens et services ».

Pour y faire face, chaque pays a adopté des stratégies. Pour ce qui est du Rwanda, plusieurs stratégies sont adoptées à l’exemple des facilités pour produits essentiels comme l’essence surtout pour le transport afin de réduire les coûts des biens primaires.

La politique monétaire qui consiste à faire en sorte que la monnaie en circulation soit au diapason avec le niveau de l’économie à travers différents outils que la banque centrale utilise comme le taux d’intérêt, les impôts et les taxations, contribuent également à régulariser la quantité de la monnaie en circulation avec le niveau de l’économie. « Le taux d’inflation se retrouve maîtrisé ».

Il y a aussi d’autres stratégies mises en place par le gouvernement comme cet appui aux plus démunis à travers quelques programmes comme le Vision 2020 Umurenge Program (VUP), Girinka et bien d’autres.

D’après cet analyste et chercheur en économie, les stratégies adoptées ne suffisent pas car le problème de la cherté de la vie semble perdurer dans chaque pays de la région des Grands Lacs.

Straton Habyarimana suggère de faire un suivi-évaluation de la politique monétaire fiscale pour voir si les objectifs visés ont été atteints, d’après lui, il faut également prioriser la production des biens se trouvant au premier rang des besoins et services dans le domaine de l’agriculture et de l’industrie, ce qui rendra leurs prix abordables par n’importe quel citoyen.

Source: IWACU Burundi

Ce samedi 18 février, Inès Mbesherubusa, présentait son premier livre, Kajumbu et Kumbati face à un public d’enfants. La lecture de quelques extraits par l’auteure a suscité l’enthousiasme auprès de son très jeune public. Pour beaucoup de parents interrogés, Kajumbu et Kumbati est une histoire à laquelle leurs enfants peuvent facilement s’identifier contrairement aux autres livres écrits en français qu’ils ont l’habitude de leur faire lire.

Devant un parterre d’une vingtaine d’enfants de 3 à 12 ans accompagnés par leurs parents, Inès Mbesherubusa explique que son livre fait l’éloge de l’acceptation de soi. « Kumbati avait du mal à s’accepter tel qu’il est, il n’arrivait pas à accepter qu’il est là pour être mangé un jour et Kajumbu l’aide à accepter sa destinée. C’est aussi surtout le fait de se trouver parfait tel que l’on est, sans chercher à changer quoi que ce soit »363

Concernant les proverbes en kirundi qui apparaissent dans le petit ouvrage, l’auteure dit les avoir mis exprès « pour que l’enfant quand il lira ce livre, il ne s’arrête pas uniquement à la lecture mais qu’il aille chercher ses parents pour leur demander la signification de ces proverbes. Ça ouvrira un dialogue parents-enfants et permettra à ceux-ci d’apprendre le kirundi en dehors du cadre scolaire ».

Bineta revient ensuite sur l’origine de son inspiration qui a donné naissance au petit livre. « Mes enfants m’interpellaient souvent sur leurs difficultés à comprendre les réalités locales et leurs tiraillements entre le kirundi et le français.

Au début, j’ai pensé leur raconter sur écrit mon enfance, sur les choses que j’ai connues et qu’ils ne voient plus forcément et par après, j’ai pensé écrire sur des thématiques qui les ancrent dans l’univers burundais. Dans la maison du burundais lambda, il ne peut manquer soit la patate douce, soit le manioc à table ».

Sur le choix de Fun Park comme lieu de sa présentation, l’ingénieure de formation précise que cet endroit fournit le cadre de dialogue parents-enfants qu’elle a évoqué plus haut. « Fun Park permet aux parents et enfants de se retrouver et de jouer ensemble. Ici, il y a des jeux de toutes sortes qui permettent une interaction entre parents et enfants. Et cela cadre bien avec l’idée que je me fais du rapport parents-enfants »

Inès Mbesherubusa souligne aussi que son livre s’adresse aux enfants de tous les milieux. « Mon livre n’est pas destiné qu’aux enfants du milieu urbain, il peut aussi parler à de petits ruraux qui voient le manioc transporté à Bujumbura et ignorent la suite. De surcroît, ce livre est le début d’une longue série qui va aborder des thèmes qui vont intéresser aussi les enfants du milieu urbain que ceux du milieu rural »

Pour Mme Mbesherubusa, Kajumbu et Kumbati aidera beaucoup à l’apprentissage de la langue française en partant du contexte burundais. « Plutôt que les enfants apprennent à partir de dessins animés qui sont le miroir de réalités d’ailleurs, Kajumbu et Kumbati peut aider les enfants à apprendre en se situant dans notre contexte local. De même, il sera plus facile aux enfants du milieu rural d’apprendre le français à partir de réalités qu’ils voient au quotidien qu’ils peuvent identifier »

Enfin, ayant constaté qu’un certain nombre d’enfants s’identifient à des valeurs extérieures (européennes pour certains), Bineta fait savoir que l’histoire de Kajumbu et Kumbati est là pour aider les enfants burundais à aimer leur culture et à s’aimer en tant que burundais avec des valeurs propres à eux. « J’ai voulu atteindre les enfants dans leur langue d’apprentissage. Ce n’est pas parce qu’ils apprennent leurs leçons en français qu’ils doivent oublier leur culture »

Tasha est mère de deux enfants âgés de 6 et 4ans. « Mes enfants viennent d’un pays anglophone et nous venons à peine d’emménager ici. Au début, c’était difficile quand je leur lisais l’histoire mais petit à petit, ils ont fini par l’intégrer. Et ce fut l’occasion de leur montrer la patate douce et le manioc pour les aider à identifier ce qu’ils lisaient.»

Selon Tasha, Kajumbu et Kumbati est une originalité dans le sens où le petit livre relate des lieux, des faits et des choses auxquels le lecteur burundais peut s’identifier contrairement à beaucoup d’autres ouvrages écrits en français.

Pour Valérie, Kajumbu et Kumbati renforce l’estime de soi des enfants. « Le livre permet à chaque enfant de comprendre qu’il est bien comme il est. De plus, de lire un livre écrit par un burundais, c’est un bonheur ! D’autant que l’histoire se passe en partie à Bujumbura où nos enfants vivent et elle parle aussi d’aliments qu’ils côtoient au quotidien »

De son côté, Torie, mère d’enfants de 11ans, 9ans et 6ans, se dit fière d’avoir entre les mains un livre qui fait la promotion des mœurs burundaises. « Quand tu lis ce genre d’histoires à ton enfant, il sera plus intéressé parce que c’est un contenu auquel il peut s’identifier. En tout cas, nous félicitons Inès pour cette idée géniale qu’elle a eue et l’encourageons »

D’après Alma, 10ans, Kajumbu et Kumbati est le portrait craché de la société burundaise. « Les personnages nous ressemblent et parlent la même langue que nous ».

Kiana, 8ans, dit avoir trouvé l’histoire drôle. « Kumbati avait peur de se faire manger et à la fin, il a quand même fini à la casserole ! J’ai trouvé ça marrant »

Source: IWACU Burundi

This Weekly Bulletin focuses on public health emergencies occurring in the WHO African Region. This week’s articles cover:

Cholera in the WHO African Region

Measles in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

COVID-19 across the WHO African Region

For each of these events, a brief description, followed by public health measures implemented and an interpretation of the situation is provided.

A table is provided at the end of the bulletin with information on all new and ongoing public health events currently being monitored in the region, as well as recent events that have been controlled and closed.

Major issues and challenges include:

Cholera remains endemic in several African countries. Since mid-2021, there has been an increase in global reported cholera outbreaks, with countries mainly in the WHO African Region reporting outbreaks to WHO. While the WHO African region is still battling the COVID-19 pandemic and other outbreaks and emergencies, cholera cases are rising significantly, with broadened geographic spread. In 2022, 14 countries reported cholera cases or outbreaks. Four countries reported higher case numbers and case fatality ratios than previous years (3% and above), well above the acceptable (<1%) and the highest recorded in over a decade. The burden of cholera could get worse unless member states and implementing partners put measures in place to control and prevent outbreaks.

Source: World Health Organization

The General Assembly adjourned its emergency special session on Ukraine today on the eve of the first anniversary of the Russian Federation’s invasion of that country, adopting a resolution that underscored the need to urgently reach peace, demanded that the Russian Federation withdraw its military forces and emphasized the need to ensure accountability for crimes committed on Ukraine’s territory.

The text — “Principles of the Charter of the United Nations underlying a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine” — was adopted by a recorded vote of 141 in favour to 7 against (Belarus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua, Russian Federation and Syria), with 32 abstentions.

By its terms, the General Assembly underscored the need to reach — as soon as possible — a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, also calling on Member States and international organizations to redouble support for diplomatic efforts towards this end.Further, reaffirming its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders — extending to its territorial waters — the Assembly reiterated its demand that the Russian Federation immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw its military forces from Ukraine’s territory and called for a cessation of hostilities.

The Assembly also demanded that the treatment by the parties to the armed conflict of all prisoners of war be in accordance with certain international conventions, and called for the complete exchange of such prisoners, the release of all unlawfully detained persons and the return of all internees and civilians forcibly transferred and deported. Through the text, the Assembly called for full adherence by such parties to their obligations under international humanitarian law to spare the civilian population and civilian objects; to ensure safe, unhindered humanitarian access to those in need; and to immediately cease attacks on Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.

The resolution also saw the Assembly emphasize the need to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes under international law committed on Ukraine’s territory through appropriate, fair and independent investigations and prosecutions at the national or international level. Further, it urged all Member States to cooperate to address the war’s global impact on food security, energy, finance, the environment and nuclear security and safety.

Prior to adopting the resolution, the Assembly, by recorded vote, rejected two resolutions submitted by Belarus. Among other changes, such amendments would have replaced certain preambular language referencing “aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine, including continuous attacks against critical infrastructure across Ukraine” with “hostilities in Ukraine”. They also would have inserted new operative language to condemn statements made by certain leaders regarding their true intentions when devising the Minsk agreements as well to call on Member States to address the root causes of the conflict and to refrain from sending weapons into the conflict zone.

Before the General Assembly took action on those texts, Member States delivered statements in continuation of the debate that began on 22 February (for background, see GA/12491).

“We did not want this war,” said Hadja Lahbib, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Belgium, underscoring that “this is not a war of the West against Russia”. Ukraine was attacked on its sovereign territory, and its very existence is being threatened. Stressing that the misinformation and false equivalencies spread by the Russian Federation for almost a year are not backed up by facts, she said that “justice will find the right word” to describe the suffering of Ukrainian children and the cities forever marked by horror.

Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark, also speaking for Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, held up a copy of the Charter of the United Nations and said that the instrument clearly prohibits aggression and wars of conquest — like the Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine. Stating that today’s vote provides an opportunity to vote for peace, he added: “let us not miss this opportunity”.

Iran’s representative, however, said the text neither comprehensively and impartially addresses the issue nor acknowledges the provocations that have contributed to this crisis. All parties involved must abandon their military ambitions, and he called for an immediate ceasefire. Further, he urged the United Nations to establish a cross-regional group of impartial countries to facilitate constructive dialogue and identify solutions to the current impasse.

Péter Szijjártó, Hungary’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, also called on the international community to focus on establishing an immediate ceasefire and helping to launch peace talks as soon as possible. The most-important duty is to save lives, which is accomplished neither through the delivery of weapons nor the imposition of sanctions. He added that wherever there is a conflict between East and West, “we in Central Europe have always lost”, calling for connectivity and cooperation instead of blocs.

The speaker for China, similarly, stressed that the international community’s top priority should be to facilitate a ceasefire and a cessation of hostilities without delay as the longer the brutality continues, the greater the human suffering will be. He also observed that sending weapons will not bring peace and urged the countries concerned to stop abusing sanctions and act in a manner conducive to de-escalation. The parties must prevent this crisis from worsening, he said, underscoring that “nuclear weapons cannot be used and that nuclear war cannot be fought”.

On that point, Catherine Colonna, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, pointed out that no country other than the Russian Federation has used nuclear rhetoric. Joining other delegations in stressing that this war is everybody’s business, she said that it denies the existence of borders. Neutrality is therefore not a possibility, and letting Moscow dictate the terms would represent a failure of the international order.

Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs echoed that, stating that it would be a victory for the aggressor if its actions were tolerated. Peace must be based on principles, he pointed out, adding that while hostilities must immediately stop, this will not necessarily produce a comprehensive, just and lasting peace. “What if a permanent member of the Security Council launched an aggression against your homeland, grabbed your territory, and then ceased hostilities, calling for peace?” he asked, calling such a peace unjust.

Annalena Baerbock, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany, spotlighted “the peace plan right here in front of us — called the Charter of the United Nations”. Moscow must withdraw its troops from Ukraine, stop its bombing and return to the Charter, as there is no peace if an aggressor is rewarded for its ruthless violence. Echoing others that “we did not choose this war”, she said that the international community would rather focus its energy on fixing schools, fighting the climate crisis and strengthening social justice.

Gabrielius Landsbergis, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, noted that his country’s citizens have donated over €40 million in support of Ukraine’s defensive efforts and that its Government has provided protection and humanitarian relief to tens of thousands of Ukrainians. “But none of that is sufficient to stop Russia’s war,” he stressed, noting that Moscow continues its aggression because it enjoys impunity. The Security Council is paralyzed because the Russian Federation wields veto power in that organ and, therefore, the role of the General Assembly becomes more important. As such, he called on Member States to rise to the occasion and support Ukraine’s peace formula.

Following the morning’s statements, several delegations offered explanations of vote both before and after the Assembly adopted the resolution. Some representatives — like those of Nigeria and Angola — objected to language in the text pertaining to ensuring accountability for crimes committed on Ukraine’s territory. Others, such as the speakers for South Africa, Lesotho and India, stressed that the resolution does not serve to bring the parties closer to peace.

The representative of South Sudan, noting that his Government has continuously abstained on this issue over the past year, said that it voted in favour today for the sole reason that the conflict must stop.

Also speaking during the morning’s debate were Ministers and representatives of Albania, Slovakia, Croatia, Poland, Czech Republic, North Macedonia, Netherlands, Latvia, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Ireland, Finland, Colombia, Uruguay and Romania, along with an observer for the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.

Also delivering explanations of vote were representatives of Djibouti, Nepal, Thailand, Brazil, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia and Pakistan.

The representatives of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Pakistan and the Republic of Korea spoke in exercise of the right of reply.

Pursuant to the adopted resolution, the eleventh emergency special session of the General Assembly temporarily adjourned, with its President authorized to resume its meetings upon request from Member States.

Source: UN General Assembly